Vandread Fanfic - Slayer of God: Beyond the Time
Rating – Sci-Fi and a little romance here and there
Best viewed with the font Verdana, 10 point

Notes:
Sorry for the REALLY long wait guys. Not enough with heavy workload, my HD went out on me.

Chapter 6: The Blessing

We gonna take a ride
To the shining star
With magic of the sounds
I wanna make you mine
Every step and turn
Let's get down to the free world

Night Trip by SylverR

The adventure in the Unknown Space was never pleasant for Nirvana and its crew. Countless battles occurred and every night and day everyone were forced to stay up to be on guard at all times. Some pilots, mostly academy graduates were pushed to edge and eventually gave in to their exhaustion. Though the battles were won, but they just barely managed. And with an ever decreasing in able pilots, everyone feared that they will be eventually overrun by The Creator.

Even without a Vanguard unit, Rick did his best to help out by repairing the damaged Vanguard. His daughter Aya did the same to the Dread fighters. And with help from others, they managed to patch things up before battle.

"Phew. I think that's it for today." Rick wiped his forehead as he completed the last of his workload.

"Meia, honey..."

Meia was sleeping as he looked at the corner hangar. Rick smiled at himself.

"Dang. She beats me again."

He took his trenchcoat and covered Meia with it. He then kissed her gently on the head.

"Sleep well, dear."

He sat beside her and looked around the area. Erick already asleep with Barnette and the same goes with other couples.

(This war...how much more can we endure? Without reinforcements, I don't think we can last much longer...)

Rick shook his head.

(No. I mustn't think that way. Guess I'll be getting some coffee. I'm sure someone at the cafe is still awake.)

He was about to get up when Meia held his wrist.

"Wha-- Meia? I thought you're asleep?"

Meia smiled at him.

"You think I can sleep without you?"

Rick managed a chuckle.

"Heh. Yeah. You're right. Alright, I won't go anywhere."

With that, Rick lied himself and Meia snuggled up to him. She then looked at him sternly.

"Now, SLEEP."

Rick hugged her close and kissed her.

"Alright. You win."

-----

Hotaru was standing in front of the Paeksis, communicating telephatically.

(Sister, what should I do?)

(You must help them, of course. But this is all depends on your decision.)

(Should he...know who I really am?)

(He will, eventually.)

-----

Axel was heading towards his room when Kahlua caught up with him.

"Hey."

"Hi. How's your day?"

"Exciting. Other than exhausted, that is."

Kahlua grinned.

"Yeah. Guess you pilots had it pretty hard out there."

"More or less. How about your day?"

"With the Paeksis in stable condition, there's nothing much for us to do. But I did helped in patching up those Dread fighters."

"I see. Guess you must be tired too, huh?"

"Yeah. Say, Axel..."

"Huh?"

The two stared at each other for a while until Kahlua shook her head.

"Nah, nothing. Sorry to bother you. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

With that, Kahlua left Axel alone along the corridor.

-----

Duero had done for the day. It's been hectic for the past few days for the experienced doctor since the ship entered the Unknown Space. His job would be a lot tougher if not because of the 'Enigmatic Healer', Hotaru. He laid down on an empty bed within the ward and closed his eyes.

"Hm? Sleeping already?"

Duero opened his eyes and saw Parfet standing next to him.

"Hi there. How's work at the engine room?"

"Not as hectic as you guys are. There had been lot of things to fix but we manage it."

"I see."

"So, you're gonna sleep here or what?"

Duero smiled at her. He then sat up.

"No, of course not. Let's go."

-----

Bart and Jura were having a drink at th bar talking about the recent events.

"So, how are the rookies?" the navigator asked.

"They are capable enough but just lack experience to handle pressure. To tell you the truth, we might lose in the next battle." the blonde pilot remarked.

Bart smiled upon the comment.

"It could happen but I still believe we can get out of this."

"You don't have to tell me that. We saw miracles once too many."

"Heheheh. To the next battle."

"I'll drink to that. Cheers."

The next morning, Axel was doing his regular maintanence to his Vanguard unit.

"Let's see. Red wire connects with red. Blue with blue. There."

After checking the statistics accordingly, he turned off the terminal.

(Now you guys can come anytime. I'm ready.)

"Axel?"

He turned to see Janette standing not far from him.

"Oh, hi Janette."

"Are you...done with the maintanence?"

"More or less, yeah."

Axel just noticed that the girl in front of him was trembling.

"Hey, you're okay?"

She nodded.

"I'm fine. But I just thought what will happen if we..."

Axel hugged her suddenly. Janette was surprised.

"Idiot! How many times do I have to say it?"

She hugged him back in return, with tears rolling down.

"I'm sorry, Axel. I..."

"No matter what happens, I'll protect you. You hear me?"

"I...I understand..."

Axel broke the embrace and smiled.

"Good. Now let's go for breakfast."

Janette nodded as she let him pulled her out of the hangar.

-----

Rick yawned as he entered the cafe with Meia.

"Meia, honey. I'm still sleepy..."

The moaning was replied with punch straight in the face. The victim instantly collapsed. Meia rubbed her fist as she looked at the now half-dead Rick. Blood was oozing out of his nose.

"Still sleepy?" she asked.

Rick instantly got up, covering his nose.

"Ugh. Not anymore..."

Meia smiled at him and looked at the damage she caused.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll live." Rick replied sarcastically.

"Oi. How long will this show go on?" Hibiki yelled from the back.

"Yeah. Go and get a room, you two." Erick added.

With that, the whole place burst with laughter.

"Oh, just shut it." Rick shot back.

-----

In the Paeksis core room, Hotaru detected many hostile presence approaching. She

turned to the glowing object.

(They're here.)

(What should I do, sister?)

(Do what you feel is right. I'll try my best to do my part.)

-----

"Captain! We're detecting a massive battle armada approaching us. It's them."

BC sighed. The entire ship had been pushed to the edge but she doesn't want to think of what will happen.

"Prepare for battle. I want all able pilots ready. And do call Bart up here."

"Understood."

-----

Bart was about to munch a toast when the alarm followed by an announcement boomed throughout the ship.

"Enemies detected. All hands prepare for battle. Ensign Garsus, please report to the bridge immediately. I repeat..."

"Aww. There goes my breakfast..." he sighed.

"Yo Bart. Hurry up, man." Raymond, who was at the counter said.

"Yeah. I will, old timer. Let me finish my orange juice first."

"Hey Bart."

He turned around to see Jura.

"Yeah?"

"Let's do our best, okay?"

Bart blinked.

"Yeah, I will. And you be careful out there."

Jura smiled then winked as she left.

"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."

-----

Axel already prepared to launch into battle when Erick commed in.

"Kid, you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Don't act tough, boy. I know something is bothering you."

"Oh, fine. I'm just worried about her."

"What? My daughter?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry. You WILL keep whatever your promised her, right?"

"Yeah."

"And she WILL do the same. You two WILL come back alive. Otherwise, I have a lot to answer to your parents and my wife."

Axel smiled at the light humour.

"Thanks, uncle."

-----

Janette was making last minute system check on the controls.

"Everything looks fine here. It's good to go. How about yours, sis?"

"System all green. Looks like dad managed to fix 'em somehow." Mara replied.

"I hope they won't attack us again after this one..."

"What, so that you can be with Axel a little longer?" Mara teased.

"SIS!"

"Hehehe. Got you."

-----

"I'm getting tired of this..." Hibiki sighed.

"Well, we can let them win and overrun us..." Erick replied through the comm line.

"That is quite an...alternative, I'd say." Anton added.

Hibiki smiled.

"Like we're gonna allow that to happen. Come on, let's go!"

Both other men nodded.

"Lead the way, Liutenant."

The battle was surprisingly easy for them because they already knew every formation and tactics they will use.

Like a demon on rampage, Erick sliced through enemy lines effortlessly.

"Tch. I was expecting a tougher batallion and all they give are these sorry bastards."

"Oi, don't you start, man..." Hibiki moaned as he wasily tore up another line of fighters.

Anton managed a smile.

"Heh, he's right, Liutenant but there's no reason we should let down our guard. How are things on the defence?"

"For some odd reason, we easily fend them off. Last battle was hell. I wonder why..." Jura said.

"Mom, another wave coming!" Mara informed.

Jura turned to the blip on the radar. Another swarm of fighters trid to sneak their way past Nirvana.

"Let's go, ladies. Use the formation 'Sweep'."

"Sweep?" Janette asked.

"We're gonna sweep them off, technically..." Jura snickered.

-----

Rick observed the battle from the bridge.

"This is too easy. Something's gonna happen soon."

"You think so too, huh?" Bart said from the navigation room.

Both Meia and BC nodded in agreement.

"The main ship doesn't seem to do anything other than sending out its fighters. If this is yesterday's battle, the ship will probably try to blast us out of the galaxy." Meia added.

"Detecting a massive heat readout from the main ship." one of the crew informed.

"Look, its calling back the fighters." BC said.

-----

"Now what's going on here?" Hibiki asked as everyone watched the enemy fighters gathered around the main ship.

"Beats me. But one thing for sure. It's bad." Erick replied.

The small fighters eventually combined with the main to form a much larger form of robot. It was at least twice the size of Nirvana.

"Oh my god..." Erick stammered.

"This...won't end well..." Hibiki added.

"There is only one thing to do..." Axel said.

"ATTAAACK!" the others exclaimed.

-----

"Commander, should we assist them?"

BC didn't reply. She wasn't sure of what to do. Watching this, Meia hurriedly left.

"Meia!" Rick called her out.

"Where is she going?" Bart asked.

Rick sighed and smiled.

"I know where and what she will do..."

-----

Meia rushed into the engine room and called out to Parfet.

"Parfet, where's Pyoro?"

"Pyoro-chan? He's probably helping out Duero at the ward."

-----

Meia ran into the hangar and saw her Dread fighter hovering gracefully in mid air.

"You need me for the Super Vandread, right?" Pyoro, whom she dragged from the ward asked.

"Yeah. I can't think of another way..."

"Meia..." a familiar voice called her from behind. She turned around.

"Rick..."

Rick shook. He then approached her and hugged.

"It's okay, dear. It's okay. I understand..."

"I don't want to lose our son. And the others..."

Rick kissed her gently.

"It's okay. You may go but promise me that you'll be back."

Meia nodded.

"I promise. I'll return to your arms. No matter what it takes."

-----

"Commander, a Dread just launched!"

"Could it be...Meia?" BC speculated.

Then, Meia appeared on the screen.

"Commander, we need that thing right now."

BC sighed as she leaned back to her seat.

"Yes, I suppose. You do your thing while we try our best to back you up."

"Thank you."

-----

Everyone turned to the newly arravied Dread.

"That's...Meia?" Jura said.

"Mom?" Axel looked at the fighter in surprise.

"Sorry for just crashing in. Hibiki, Dita, Jura. We need to do this."

"But we need Pyoro for that." Dita said.

"Don't worry. I brought him along."

"Guess we have no choice..." Jura sighed.

"It's been too long..." Dita added.

"Erick, Axel, Anton. I want you three to provide minor distraction to that thing." Meia ordered.

"Yes ma'am." Erick replied. "Come on, boys. Let us 'mosquitoes' do our thing, eh?"

"Alright! Let's do it!" Hibiki exclaimed.

Within seconds, the Super Vandread was formed but it was still dwarfed by the monstrosity of a robot in front of them. Undaunted, Hibiki moved forward slicing and dicing with the sword while Erick, Axel, Anton and their squads provided backup.

-----

Rick was still standing where Meia's Dread was.

(I believe you, Meia. Please come back soon.)

Then, he heard footsteps approaching him. It was Barnette.

"Barnette..."

"Rick, will they be okay?"

Rick grinned.

"Heh. Don't worry. With that thing, everyone will be okay. Besides, Erick won't go down easily."

Barnette smiled at him.

"Yeah. I suppose they will..."

"No, they won't."

The two turned around to see Hotaru.

"Hotaru, how do you know?" Barnette asked.

"The Paeksis told me." she replied.

-----

Despite their best efforts, the Super Vandread just barely damaged its gigantic opponent.

"Shoot! Everything is not working!" Hibiki yelled.

"Hibiki, calm down..." Dita said.

"Jura, status report!" Meia shouted.

Jura keyed in the commands on the keyboard that is Pyoro. Ignoring his moaning, she replied;

"Energy sources depleted to 50. The same goed with the shield."

"Dammit!" Hibiki cursed.

"Oi, what's happening? We're supposed to own that thing!" Erick commed in.

"Hush, dad! They're doing their best!" Mara said.

Meia was trying to optimize everything but failed.

(Rick...)

-----

"The Paeksis...told you?" Barnette asked.

Hotaru nodded.

"Yes. She couldn't help them with her current state."

"Is there anything we can do?" Rick asked her only to be replied by the shake of her head.

"Then,Erick...everyone..." Barnette stammered.

"DAMMIT!"

Rick threw a punch to the wall as hard as he could and repeat it until his fist started to bleed. Barnette stopped Rick from injuring himself further.

"Rick, stop! You're injuring yourself!"

Hotaru stared at both of them, without blinking.

"Rick." She finally said.

Rick turned to her with tears runing down his face.

"What is power?" she asked.

Wiping his tears, he managed a short reply;

"A blessing."

"What will you do with it?" she asked once again.

"To help everyone. To protect the ones that I care so much."

Without a word, Hotaru then approached the launching platform. She turned to him.

"Do you...consider me a blessing?"

Feeling puzzled, Rick asked;

"What do you..."

Before he could finish, a pair of white wings came out from the back of Hotaru.

"That's..." Barnette stammered.

"No, it can't..." Rick shook his head.

As she was engulfed by the wings, Hotaru smiled.

"Yes, this is what I am. You have to accept it."

Both Rick and Barnette were blinded the white light momentarily. Rick opened his eyes but Hotaru was no longer there. On the platform, a white winged Vanguard unit stood magnificiently. It was the Vanguard X

"Hotaru...is..." Barnette couldn't finished the sentence due to the shocking revelation.

Rick approached the Vanguard and looked at it.

"...Axis Alpha." he finished the sentence.

A hologram image of Hotaru appeared.

"Yes, I am Axis Alpha. Please use this power to protect the ones you love."

Rick was suddenly engulfed by white flame but he didn't feel any pain. After it was extinguished, he could feel a surging amount of energy inside him. The power he once lost had returned.

"Hotaru..."

She shook hear head.

"No. I am not Hotaru anymore."

Rick smiled at her.

"No, you will always be Hotaru no matter what."

Hotaru looked at him in surprise. Then, she smiled.

"Thank you."

Rick nodded.

"If you're ready, let's kick that thing's arse!"

I wanna heal
I wanna feel
The beat is real
You wanna leave me alone
Hold on the future, hold on the past
Wasting my time right now

Right Now by Dark Angels